Little Darbonne Dam

Little Darbonne Dam is an earth dam located in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, built in 1964. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Little Darbonne Dam

The primary purpose of Little Darbonne Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Little Darbonne Lake Corp. (private). It impounds the Tr-north Tupawek Bayou near West Monroe.

The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 45 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 518 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1964, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 03/03/2025.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: No

Location

StateLouisiana
CountyOuachita
Nearest CityWest Monroe
River/StreamTr-north Tupawek Bayou
Coordinates32.55419, -92.17013

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height23 ft
Dam Height23 ft
Dam Length500 ft
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage518 acre-ft
Max Storage518 acre-ft
Normal Storage300 acre-ft
Surface Area45 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,200 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerLittle Darbonne Lake Corp.
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection03/03/2025
Emergency Action PlanNo

Identifiers

NID IDLA00493
Federal IDLA00493
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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